Knight of the Empress Page 7

  I knelt as the Emperor approached, "You have done exceptionally well, Englishman. That is the first time I have seen the Count unhorsed. He is never beaten. You are someone to keep an eye on." I was looking up into his eyes and I saw hatred. There was something else I saw, pain. The Emperor was not a well man. Perhaps this explained his dyspeptic nature. He held out the chest. "Here is your reward, rise." I rose and took the chest. "I am told you leave today."

  "Yes, sire. We have to get back to Caen. The King may need us."

  "Then I hope you have a safer and less eventful journey home than you had coming."

  I wondered if that was a threat, but I smiled and replied, "As do I sire."

  Matilda said, suddenly, "I have decided to reward the six of you for your services to me. I know that the Emperor has rewarded you but we would like to give you all something to remember me by." I could see that the Emperor knew nothing of this from the expression he bore but the silent arena and crowd meant that they had heard Matilda's words which had been spoken loudly enough for all to hear. She waved a delicate hand and two servants came across, each bearing a cushion.

  "I have created an order of knights. They will be the Knights of the Empress Matilda. You six will be the first recipients. Kneel." We all fell to our knees and looked up at her. She began with the Swabians who were kneeling to my left and she placed what looked like a large coin or medallion around each of their necks. She spoke quietly to each of them as she did so. Then she went to Sir Guy at the other end of the line and placed one around his neck. After Edward she came to me and put the medallion around my neck. "By this token you are sworn to protect me and to come to me should I need you."

  As I looked up I saw that her eyes sparkled and there was more behind the words than within them. "I swear, as I did to your father, to protect you with my life; always."

  Spontaneously the others all intoned, "We swear to protect you with our lives."

  There was a momentary pause then the crowd all cheered and the moment was gone. The Emperor whisked Matilda away before she could say another word and we were left alone in the arena. I looked at the medallion. It had been cast in bronze and had the Empress' image on one side and Saint George slaying the dragon on the other. It seemed appropriate. As we compared them Rolf suddenly laughed, "It seems we are not all equal."

  Sir Guy asked, "What do you mean?"

  He held up his. "Do you see how each of us has a different colour stone in our medal? The baron has a blue one but if you notice it is placed in the heart of the Empress. Ours are in her hand. It seems the baron must be her favourite."

  I shook my head. "I think you are wrong. They look to be in the same place to me. The man who made them must have made a mistake."

  Gottfried said, "No mistake but it does not matter. We six are sworn to protect her. Let us take the blood oath."

  Sir Guy looked confused, "Blood oath?"

  In answer Rolf took out his dagger and made a cut across the palm of his hand. The Swabians, Edward and myself all did the same. I knew the custom from my father. Sir Guy nodded and did the same. We then all clasped hands so that our blood intermingled. Rolf nodded, "Now we are blood brothers and oathsworn. He walked over to a brazier burning in the corner and, taking his knife, plunged it into the flame. After a few moments he took it out and placed it on the wound. He repeated it with us all. "Now we are oathsworn in blood and fire. When the Empress is in danger then we must go to her side; no matter what."

  After we had tended to Star's injury we returned to our quarters. Guy and Edward took off my surcoat. "Look at that sir. There is a dent in the armour."

  I could see that there was a small dent in the armour. It was where the lance had struck me. It had not penetrated but the scale would need replacing. Just then Carl came in holding something in his hand. Gottfried and Rolf were with him

  "I returned to the arena and found the lance the Count used. I found this in the broken end." He opened his palm and there was a narrow arrow head. It would have been invisible in the end of the lance. Edward took it and placed it next to the dent in the armour. It was a perfect match.

  Edward rolled the narrow arrow head in his hand. "They didn't know you wore lamellar armour Baron. If you had worn mail then this would have gone right through." He placed it next to his mail and I saw that it would have gone through. "The Count was trying to kill you."

  "Keep that safe Edward. I shall return it to the Count one day." Turning to the Swabians I said, "And you three watch yourselves. Being associated with me may be dangerous."

  "Do not worry, my English friend, we have learned about treachery the hard way and our comrade paid with his life. We will watch."

  We parted from the Swabians and, after picking up the surcoats and supplies for the journey we left. It was in direct contrast to our arrival. The streets were empty leading to the gates for people were enjoying the holiday atmosphere in the taverns of the town. We were able to slip out unobserved. The men were satisfied for they had enjoyed their stay in the town for they had had none of the politics to contend with. They had drunk and wenched. Some had spent all of their coins and were now eager for action and the prospect of more treasure. The three of us, who rode at the front, had much to think on. Harold and Alan had been on the periphery of the intrigue but Edward and Guy knew as well as I did that there were plots and intrigues going on here.

  "Guy, you live in the Empire; how does it view France and Normandy?"

  He shrugged, "We are in the provinces and it is hard to judge. As far as we can tell the Empire supports your King Henry. After all his daughter is the Empress of the Empire but events in the last few days have made me question that."

  Edward had an annoyed expression on his face. Since he had discovered the arrow head he had been silently fuming, "My question, Baron Alfraed, is how did those knights get so far into the Empire unless someone was giving them support. We were almost within sight of Worms when they attacked. And those two Teutons, Lothar and Konrad, who got them close to the Empress? This is a big conspiracy. No sir. I am glad to be rid of that place. Not the Empress mind, she is worth fighting for, but she has found herself in a nest of vipers there."

  We rode in silence for a while. I did not want to think about the Empress Matilda trapped there so far away from home and so vulnerable. I turned to Edward's squire. "How is the arm, Alan?"

  "It aches a little but the physician we saw in Worms said that Wulfric had set it well. I am just pleased it was only my shield arm."

  "Good. I would like to ride hard, Sir Guy, and get to your uncle's castle as soon as possible. I wish to question Lothar and Konrad. We now have names to put to them."

  That night we camped on a small hill where we could defend ourselves. I divided the money we had won between Sir Guy and Edward. I knew they would use some to pay their own men. I would do the same. Sir Guy had used his reward from the Emperor to hire four more men at arms. There had been many in Worms and Rolf had chosen them for him. We were a formidable looking force as we sped along the roads to Bar. I hoped that, without the Empress and with so many men, we would deter any attacker. I was proved correct for we reached Bar quickly and without incident. However as we approached the gates of the town I saw, on top of the castles walls, the heads of Lothar and Konrad. We would question no one.

  Chapter 6

  "But the message came from the Emperor with the news of your good fortune, Guy. We were told to execute them as traitors. The rider arrived two days ago." The Count du Bar looked upset. He had given his word and the Emperor had forced his hand.

  "That explains the games and the delay in holding them. They wanted us there. I wonder what they could have told us."

  "Just before they died, Lothar shouted, 'Curse the Count! He has betrayed us'. I guessed he meant the Count of Flanders."

  Sir Guy shook his head, "We met two more candidates in Worms, uncle; the Counts of Aachen and Stuttgart. I am glad to be home."

  His uncle smiled, "And now we can he
lp you build your castle. Baron, will you stay awhile?"

  "No, thank you for your kind offer but we must get back to Caen and I fear we have the more dangerous part to come."

  "We will escort you as far as La Cheppe."

  "You do not need to."

  "It will not be any trouble and I am loath to lose your company."

  Sir Guy laughed, "I think my uncle will be glad to have me off his hands! He just has one demesne to find for Raymond."

  Raymond nodded, "Oh you need not worry about me. I am going to seek my fortune in the Holy Land. You have found fame and fortune when you left Bar, perhaps I will have the same good fortune."

  "Besides, we need to help him rebuild the castle and this time we will do it in stone. It does no burn so easily. We can make a better castle than poor Guiscard did."

  "I only made a few gold coins, uncle."

  "We still have the gold from Lothar and Konrad. I feel I can use that to build a stronger defence. After all you will be protecting my western approaches."

  We camped that night, at the desolate graveyard that was La Cheppe. I did not envy them their task. They would have to clear the site of the dead before they could begin their work. or our own. We now had to move through the land of France, skirt Flanders and find a way to avoid Count Fulk's men in Anjou. We left the encampment at La Cheppe at dawn. The farewells showed the bond that we had made. Three of us were Knights of the Empress. I was not certain how we would serve her but I knew that the three of us would never forget our oaths.

  We did, at least, look like a real conroi. The blues of our gambesons and surcoats were almost the same colour and the two stars looked good. The men, even the archers, had liked them. We now had only five archers. This had been an expensive foray for archers were almost impossible to replace. I split them into three uneven groups. Being lightly armed their horses could ride further without tiring and I had three, under Dick, ranging far ahead while the other pair rode to our left and right protecting our flanks. We were also down to five men at arms. Our adventure had cost us good men. We shunned towns wherever possible. The Count had provided us with supplies of dried meat and we had water skins. It would be the rivers which would determine our course west. We had to cross the major ones and use the minor ones for drinking. That was how they eventually trapped us. We had not been forgotten. We had merely delayed their pursuit. We had headed to the north of Paris this time but we had to turn west otherwise we risked crossing into the land of the Count of Flanders and that was when they found us..

  Dick came galloping back towards sunset. We were close to the tiny hamlet of Saint Nicholas d'Azy. Ahead was the River Nonette. There was a ford but once across we were clear to Caen and we would be home in three days. Dick's sudden arrival put paid to that.

  He reined in, breathing hard. "There are men waiting on the other side of the ford, Baron. They are waiting for us, I think."

  "How do you know?"

  "I saw the knight with the red shield again. I recognised his horse." He shrugged, "Unless there are two such knights."

  "No you are probably right. How many are there?"

  "Six knights. I counted ten men at arms and I think they have six crossbowmen. I could not be sure of the crossbowmen. I did not wish to get too close in case I was seen."

  "You did well. Where are our other two archers?"

  "They watch from the trees. I found John and Mark, the other scouts and they watch too."

  I turned to the others. "Council of war." My men at arms, squires and Edward, gathered around me. "We have five archers and nine who can wield a sword." I looked at Alan. "I will not risk you. You can watch the spare horses. Someone needs to do it." He nodded.

  Edwards asked, "Dick, could we charge them?"

  "You would be slain by the crossbows before you were half way across the river. It is narrow but the crossbowmen are well hidden in the trees."

  "And the others are hidden?"

  "They are all hidden."

  "Then I have a plan." I gathered them around and explained my idea to them. It was risky but it was the only one I had. We had to get around Paris and the alternative was a hundred mile detour south. Who knew what dangers we might meet in France?

  As I led Harold and Wulfric towards the ford I was relying on the fact that our ambushers had not spotted my scouts. I had tried to envisage what they would see. They would see the three of us, the advance party, heading for the river. We would talk of setting up camp and letting our horses water. I doubted that they would attack until they had us all. Because we now wore surcoats they would just see a knight, a squire and a man at arms. I guessed they would be expecting more men. That was the plan but if I suddenly found a crossbow bolt in my chest then I would know that I was wrong.

  We rode leisurely towards the water. I found it hard not to stare across the river and look for our enemies. I had stressed to Harold and Wulfric that we had to appear casual. I had also told them what to say. We dismounted and feigned checking our girths. In reality Harold was stringing his bow.

  "I wish Edward would get a move on. Damn his lame horse."

  "He is doing his best, my lord. Don't forget poor Alan's wound will delay them too."

  I snorted, noticing that Harold had an arrow nocked already.

  "Well this looks like a good place to camp. When they come we will cross and set up camp. You two wait here and I will see if I can hurry them up." I mounted. I watched as Wulfric, hidden behind his horse slipped his shield over his shoulder. I pulled Scout's head around as though heading west and as the first arrows sped across the river strapped my shield close to my body, drew my sword and galloped across the river. I heard the hooves of Edward's horse as he galloped up to join Wulfric and me. I braced myself for the crossbow bolt which never came. My archers had hit them all and were now felling the men at arms who, seeing the trap sprung, were streaming down to the water to get at us.

  This time we would approach them in single file. I was still not confident about Harold in combat, especially when facing so many knights. They came at me in a wedge lead by a knight with a yellow quartered shield and a light green and yellow surcoat. He had a lance. He would need more than a little luck to hit me while riding down a rough slope. I heard a roar from the two flanks as my archers and men at arms fell upon the ambushers. I knew the crossbowmen were dead which made our numbers almost even and I hoped that the sudden attack would give us the edge. First, however, I had to fight my way through the four knights who were charging towards me. By lowering my head slightly I avoided the lance which stabbed at the empty air above my helmet. I punched with my shield and the already unbalanced knight tumbled into the water.

  A second knight came at me and I stood in my stirrups to rise up and bring my sword down hard on his helmet. Although he brought his shield up quickly it was not quickly enough and he fell backwards off his. He had not had time to make a strike with his sword. As he splashed into the edge of the river I heard a shout of pain as Edward finished off the knight with the quartered shield.

  My archers were raining death with great accuracy on our enemies and the men at arms were fleeing. I saw the knight with the red shield. He turned and began to gallop up the slope. I spurred Scout on. He was one of the keys to these attacks. He had been at the last two and I would have words with him this time. I passed the bodies of some of the dead ambushers. Up ahead I saw Wulfric and his men as they laid into the remaining warriors with their swords. The trees, which lined the river, began to thin and I started to gain upon the knight in red. I hoped that Harold was still with me but I could not look around. I had to concentrate on the red knight.

  Suddenly another knight came charging from the trees to my right. I do not know if he had waited there for me or was just lucky. His lance struck my shoulder and I felt myself falling from Scout. I kicked my feet from my stirrups. I did not want to drag my horse down with me. As I fell I saw a large tree to my left. I instinctively put my head behind my shield and when we struck the t
ree the shield took the worst of the damage. I rolled to my right just as the lance jabbed into the tree against which I had fallen. It proved to be the knight's undoing. He failed to release the lance and he fell forward as the lance embedded its head against the tree.

  He fell in a heap some ten paces from me. I ran to him with my damaged shield and my sword. I was putting my sword to his throat and yelling, "Yield!" when he swept his foot and took my legs from me.

  As I crashed to the ground I resolved to stab first next time; if there was to be a next time. He was on his feet in an instant and he drew his sword and brought it overhand to strike at me. It hit my shield and a huge rent appeared in it. I could see my life being ended here in this inconsequential valley in the middle of Frankia. That could not be. I had too much to live for. I brought my sword horizontally across his body. He countered with his shield but his feet were on the slope and the blow caused him to slip and stagger. While he was concentrating on balancing I swung vertically and when he brought his shield up my powerful blow made him lose the little balance he had. He tumbled backwards down the steep slope towards the river. I went after him, watching my footing for I did not wish to lose my balance too. I saw him crash, finally, to earth and he gave a sigh. A tendril of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. I saw that he had speared himself on the broken stump of a tree. It grew from his middle like a red flower. He was dying.

  "What is your name?"

  "Roger of Conisborough."

  He was from England. "Who sent you here?"

  He tried to laugh but it was too much, "De Brus has a long arm and a longer memory he…"

  His head fell off to the side and he was dead. De Brus haunted me still. Harold ran towards me. "Are you all right Baron? I am sorry I did not stay close enough."

  I laughed, "It was a plan riddled with risks. Find how many men fell." When he left I searched the body. His sword was a good one and I took it. He had a jewelled dagger too. However when I found his purse I discovered five gold coins and each one was from Charles of Flanders. He might have said De Brus, but Charles, Count of Flanders, had his sticky fingers all over the ambush.